Many local Republicans excitedly watched Donald Trump’s rise to the presidency yesterday. Nearly 80 people gathered in the Vet’s Club in Eugene, to watch FOX News' coverage of Election Night.
As of last night, the contest for House District 14 was still up in the air. Democrat Julie Fahey held a narrow lead over Republican Kathy Lamberg, who was among those at the watch party.
While Fahey has pushed improving schools and helping the homeless as part of her platform, Lamberg says she’ll make Oregon more business friendly, as a way to help alleviate poverty in the district. A report by The Oregonianshows nearly 42 percent of Eugene school district students receive free or reduced lunch.
“We have a problem with poverty," Lamberg tells KLCC. "And we need to do a better job legislatively, making this place a good environment, for businesses to grow and build so our families can have good jobs.”
Lamberg says by reworking Oregon’s tax system – which would include eliminating the so-called “death” or estate tax – more companies would come here and bring jobs.
As to what she'd do next if she loses to Fahey, Lamberg says she'd be open to teaching again, and whatever "opportunities come my way."
The 14th district includes West Eugene, Junction City, and the Bethel area.
Meanwhile, Oregon's incumbent Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum was handed a second term by voters last night. She bested Republican challenger Daniel Crowe by a double-digit lead.
At the watch party last night, Crowe didn’t dwell on his loss. He instead thanked voters for rejecting Measure 97…which would have increased corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25-million.
“This matter will now go back to the Legislature, which is the appropriate venue for deciding tax policy," says Crowe. "And the Legislature is going to have to grasp the mettle, and make tough decisions about disciplining themselves.
"Until Oregon politicians take corruption and government incompetence seriously, Oregon voters are never going to buy into blank-check tax policy.”
Crowe also said he’ll run again for Oregon Attorney General in 2020, “if my wife approves” to a chuckling crowd.
But the levity of the evening was disrupted shortly after Trump scored key wins in Wisconsin and Iowa. An angry woman crashed the party, walking into the room. Blocking their view of the FOX News broadcast, she alternately called Trump a “racist” and “rapist," angering many in the crowd.
The woman was booed out of the watch party, and could not be found when police arrived. One attendee said it had been “a fun evening” until the incident.
